I just saw something about free-lance proofreading. What does someone who does this get paid?

Question

A person featured on ABC news makes a six-figure income reading books part-time. Really? Are you paid by the page, by the book, or what?

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OK. It won't let me copy the link, but this is the woman who wrote Copyediting and Proofreading for Dummies.

Answer 1

In the US, a first-rate proofreader makes $20 - $35 an hour, doing 3 to 10 manuscript pages per hour. Work tends to be sporadic, with long stretches of nothing, then a slew of rush jobs.

Be aware that very few people have the language skills to be first-rate proofreaders. Mine are good, but probably not good enough.

Answer 2

I have proofread for advertising agencies for years (not doing it anymore). If you do it through a temp agency you get paid considerably more (because you don't have benefits, etc.). In 2004 I got paid $18/hr. The other person was right, you have to have an eagle eye for mistakes and a strong grasp on the English language as well as grammar. Most temp agencies have a series of tests you must take before they will even consider taking you on and sending you out on jobs. Typically they are looking for 98% or better on accuracy. Agencies also typically only take applicants that have experience in the field.

Answer 3

Hey, I accept email. Let me know if you find out if this is legitimate, will you? I read about 400 books each year. I have slowed down a little since I went past the 55 year mark and am getting very close to the 60 year mark. I would totally love to do this for some extra cash the social security won't provide.

Answer 4

I used to do freelance proofreading in Australia in 2001. I got paid $17.50 an hour which is $14.75 US dollars an hour. I would invoice them for the total number of hours I'd worked that week.